Shoe-tree



Aug. 26, 1930. o. HOWE 1,774,200

SHOE TREE F'ild March 9, 1929 gwuentoz I Patented Aug-2e, 1930 sr TsEY R T DANIEL" c. ,REBHUN,

snot-11min I The present invention relates to shoe trees or forms, andv more especially to improvements in ad ustable trees'for retaining or restoring the shapes ofboots or shoes.

The primary object of the-invention, is to' provide a sectional shoe .tree with means whereby the sections may be moved relative to each other so as to fit shoes of varying sizes.

A further object comprehends the provision of simple and eflicient means for-main taining the shoe sections in predetermined 2 shoe tree with the invention applied thereto.

adjusted positions.

Another object consists in providing a lock- I ing plungerithat is so positioned as to extend slightly beyond a cut-out portion in the upper surface of the heel section of the tree,

so that the plunger will not project beyond fed'position relativethereto, so asfto accom-' the upper surface-of the tree, and thus materially facilitate the packing or Wrapping of the shoe tree especially when travelling.

Uther objects and'advantages of the invention will become apparent from the follow{ ing description when taken in conjunction I reduced shank 27 that'extends upwardly from the shoulder. Theplunger 25 is ar with the accompanying claim.

Referring to the drawings 1n which is shown a Figure l is a perspective View of'asectional View of Figure 1. I

Figure'3 isa sectional View taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.v

Fi ure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional Figure 4: is a detailed exploded viewof the connecting bar and the locking plunger, and

detail perspective view of the Figure 5 is a toe section.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts in the several views, denotes a shoe tree preferably composed of the toe section 11 and the heel section 12, theupper'adjacentportions of each section being cut out so'as toform a recess 13. The sections 11 and 12 are'provided with longitudinal'aligned openings'l l and 15, re-;

7 spectively, the opening 14 terminating ina vertical reduced recess or slot 16, that extends upwardly and 'me'dially to the cut-out por- W enlarged recess 30'(Fig.*3), in which extends the/shank 27, so as'toreceivega zhandleor a'el e tion 13.

preferred embodiment ofthe inven- Application filed March 9, 1929. Serial No. 345,735.

AT NT ZIA'QQFFICE; '1

tions 11 and 12, and 'isxpreferably' formed" "with a reduced flat end portion 18 and a tubu-v lar end portion 19 (Fig.4), the tubularpor' *tion 19 having a longitudinal elongated slot 20in the upper surface'thereof, wl1ich slot is formed of opposed flanges comprising" I spaced curved sections 21 connected 'by. straight sections 22.[ The flat end'portion-of the rod 17 fits within the recess'16an'd is'con-e nected to the -toe section by a pin 23, that.

extends into a transverse opening 23 in the toe section 11' and through an opening 24 in the bar 17. The tubular-portion) ofthe bar 17 is then introduced" into the aligned openiiigs l4 15, and the heel section 12 is permitted'tobe moved relative to thesection 11 and maintained in'any' predetermined adj ustmodate shoes of different sizes through the-instrum'entality of a locking plunger or stud '25 F igl i), preferably formedwith' later-a1 ranged to be positioned within a vertical opening, 28," Which communicates with the opening 15in the heel section, while the shank 27 extends through the slot 20in the bar 17, so that the shoulders 26-may engage the underside of the opposed flanges formed by the slot 20. The plunger'i25 adjacent the Y shoulders 26 is preferably tormed withparallelflat sides 26*which register with the inner end of the slot20to permit the insertion'and reinoval of the plunger from the shoe tree. I t will be seen that the plunger isimovably." 1 secured" in position by first being inserted intoi'the opening 28 and the slot 20 when the "sides 26 are arranged parallel with the slot" and is then moved to its locked position by be- A coiled s pring'29, whichis mounted in'the bottom oftheopening 28, so as to abut against the bar li; The"openingI28-terniinates in an 'ing rotated so as to causetheshoulders 26 to engageth'e underside oft-he flanges 21'and 22.

knob 31 that is threadedly connected thereto above the bar 17. The handle 31 extends outwardly from the cut-out portion 13 to a point about even with the horizontal plane of the upper surface of the sections 11 and'12, so

that the tree may be conveniently packed or carried without having any parts protruding therefrom; a feature'which is very essential in articles of this kind, especially when travelin-g. A supporting handle '32 in the form of a metallic ring or the like may be secured to the upper surface of the heel section 12 so as to facilitate the handling of the shoe tree.

The spring 29 normally tendsto maintain the plunger 25 in locked engagement with the bar 17'so as to prevent relative movement of the sections 11 and '12. However, upon downward pressure being imparted to the handle 31, the plunger will be moved downwardly into the opening 28 against the tension of the spring 29, thus releasing the engagement of the shoulders 26 with the sides ofthe: slot 20, which permits theheel section 12 to be moved longitudinally relai tive to the section 11. WVhen the parts have been moved the desired distance, releasing of the pressure on the handle 31 will cause the spring 29 to force the shoulders 26 again into locking engagement with the bar 17,

"thus positively securing the sections in any predetermined position as may be desired.

It is to be understood that the form of the 1 invention herewith shown and described, is

merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment, and that such changes may be made therein as fall within the purview of one skilled in the art without departing from.

the spirit of the invention, and the scope of v the appended claim. '40

. having a vertically disposed orifice communi- V cating with the longitudinal opening therein, a locking plunger mounted in said orifice and having a shoulder arranged to engage the underside of said flanges for maintaining the bar in fixed position relative to the heel section, said plunger'having parallel. flat sides adjacent said shoulders arranged to register with anlend portion of the slot for permitting the insertion and removal of the plunger from the shoe tree, and a spring positionedin the bottom of said orifice for normally maintaining'the shoulder in engagement with said slotted portion, said plunger having its exposed end extending slightly above said cutout portion whereby upon the depression of the plunger the shoulder is released from engagement with the bar to permit the movement of said sections relative to each other.

' In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

OLIVER J. HOWE. 

